Lecture: 03

Topic: Educational Research and Ethics

Introduction to Research.
The term ‘Research’ consist of two words:
‘Re’ means again and ‘Search’ means to find out something.
The following is the process:
Person observe ------------------- Phenomena Collection of the data ---------------Conclusions

Again and again Analysis of data

Therefore, research means to observe the phenomena

again and again from different dimensions. For example
there are many theories of learning due to the observation
from different dimensions. The research is a process of
which a person observe the phenomena again and again
and collect the data he draws some conclusions. Research
simply means a search of facts--- answers to questions and
solutions to problems.
Definitions of Research:
➢ According to Clifford Woody:
Research is a careful inquiry or examination in seeking
facts or principles; a diligent investigation to ascertain
something.
➢ According to Redman and Mory:
Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge.
Introduction of Educational Research:
Meaning of Educational Research:
Educational research as nothing but cleansing of
educational Research is nothing but cleansing of
Educational process. Many experts think Educational
Research as under.
o According to Mouly, “Educational Research is the
systematic application of Scientific Method for solving
educational problems”
o Travers Think: “Educational Research is the activity for
developing science of behavior in educational situations. It
allows the educator to achieve his goals effectively”
Educational Research Characterizes as follow:
i. It is highly purposeful.
ii. It deals with educational problems regarding students and
teachers as well.
iii. It is precise, objective, scientific and systematic process of
investigation.
iv. It attempts to organize data quantitatively and qualitatively
to arrive at statistical inferences.
v. It is based on some philosophic theory.
vi. It uses classrooms, schools, colleges department of
education as the laboratory for conducting researches.
Method and Purpose of educational Research:
1. Scientific Method:
2. Qualitative Research:
• Case Study.
• Ethnographical Research.
• Historical Research.
 3. Quantitative Research:
• Descriptive research
• Experimental Research.

1. Scientific Method
An enquiry is an natural technique for a search. But when it’s used systematically and
scientifically, it takes the form of method. So scientific enquiry is also known as Scientific
Method. This method is different from the methods of knowledge – generation like trial and
error, experience, authority and intuition.it is a parallel to Dewey’s reflective thinking; because
the researcher himself is engrossed in reflective thinking while conducting research.

Definition of Scientific Method:

The scientific method is a process of experimentation that is used to explore
observations and answers questions.
• According to L.R. Gay:
The scientific method is an orderly process involving a number of steps: recognition and
definition of a problem, formulation of hypothesis, collection of data, analysis of data, and
statement of conclusions regarding confirmation or disconfirmation of the hypothesis

2. Qualitative Research:
❖ Case Study.
• Definition of Case Study:
A case study is Descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person
group or event.

• According to Groode and Hatt.

It is a method of Exploring and analyzing the life of a social unit.

• According to Cooley:

Case study depends our perception & gives clear insight into life
directory.
Types of Case Study:

• Illustrative case studies. These are primarily descriptive studies. They typically
utilize one or two instances of an event to show the existing situation.
Illustrative case studies serve primarily to make the unfamiliar familiar and to
give readers a common language about the topic in question.
• Exploratory (or pilot) case studies. These are condensed case studies
performed before implementing a large scale investigation. Their basic
function is to help identify questions and select types of measurement prior to
the main investigation. The primary pitfall of this type of study is that initial
findings may seem convincing enough to be released prematurely as
conclusions.
• Cumulative case studies. These serve to aggregate information from several
sites collected at different times. The idea behind these studies is that the
collection of past studies will allow for greater generalization without
additional cost or time being expended on new, possibly repetitive studies.
• Critical instance case studies. These examine one or more sites either for the
purpose of examining a situation of unique interest with little to no interest in
generalization, or to call into question a highly generalized or universal
assertion. This method is useful for answering cause and effect questions.

Ethnographical Research:

Ethnography is a study through direct observation of participants in their

natural environment rather than in a lab. The objective of this type of research
is to gain insights into how participants interact with things in their natural
environment.

Ethnography methods include direct observation, diary studies, video

recordings, and photography and artifact analysis such as devices that the
person uses throughout the day. Observation ca be made anywhere from the
participant’s workplace, their home or while they are out with family and
friends. They length of the studies can very depending on the research that is
being conducted. They can range from a couple of hours of observation, to
studies that last several months.

Definition of Ethnographical Research:

Fetter man (1998):

Ethnography is the art and Science used to describe a group or culture.

 Angrosino (2007):

Ethnographers search for predictable patterns in the lived human experiences

by carefully observing and participating in the lives of those under study.

Historical Research:

Historical research involves studying, understanding and interpreting past events. The
purpose of historical research is to reach insights or conclusions about past persons or
occurrences. Historical research entails more than simply compiling and presenting
factual information; it also requires interpretation of the information.

Typically, histories focuses on particular individuals, social issues and links between the
old and the new. Some historical research is aimed at reinterpreting prior historical
works by revising existing understandings and replacing them with new, often
politically charged ones.

The main emphasis in historical research is on interpretation of documents, diaries and

the like. Historical data are categorized into primary or secondary sources. Primary
sources include first-hand information, such as eyewitness reposts and original
documents. Secondary sources include secondhand information, such as a description
of an event by someone other than an eyewitness, or a textbook author’s explanation of
an event or theory. Primary sources may be harder to find but are generally more
accurate and preferred by historical researchers. A major problem with much historical
research is excessive reliance on secondary sources.

Researches cannot accept historical data at face value, since many diaries memoirs,
reposts and testimonies are written to enhance the writer’s position, stature, or
importance. Because of this possibility, historical data has to be examined for its
authenticity and truthfulness. Such examination is done through criticism; by asking
and researching to help determine truthfulness, bias, omissions and consistency in data.

According to Brog (1963)

It is a defined as the systematic and objective location, evaluation and synthesis of

evidence in order to establish facts and draw conclusions about past events.

Quantitative Research:
 Descriptive Research:
Descriptive research is defined as a research method that describes the
characteristics of the population or phenomenon that is being studied. This
methodology focuses more on the “what” of the research subject rather than the
“why” of the research subject.

In other words, descriptive research primarily focuses on describing the nature of

a demographic segment, without focusing on “why” a certain phenomenon occurs. In
other words, it “describes” the subject of the research, without covering “why” it
happens.

For example, an apparel brand that wants to understand the fashion purchasing
trends among New York buyers will conduct a demographic survey of this region,
gather population data and then conduct descriptive research on this demographic
segment. The research will then uncover details on “what is the purchasing pattern of
New York buyers”, but not cover any investigative details on “why” the patterns exits.
Because for the apparel brand trying to break into this market, understanding the
nature of their market is the objective of the study.

Characteristics of Descriptive Research:

1. Quantitative research: Descriptive research is a quantitative research method that

attempts to collect quantifiable information to be used for statistical analysis of the
population sample. It is an popular market research tool that allows to collect and
describe the nature of the demographic segment.
2. Uncontrolled variables: In descriptive research, none of the variables are
influenced in any way. This uses observational methods to conduct the research.
Hence, the nature of the variables or their behavior is not in the hands of the
researcher.
3. Cross-sectional studies: Descriptive research is generally a cross-sectional
study where different sections belonging to the same group are studied.
4. Basis for further research: The data collected and analyzed from descriptive
research can then be further researched using different research techniques. The
data also can help point towards the types of research methods are to be used for
the subsequent research.

Experimental Research:
Experimental research is research conducted with a scientific approach using two
sets of variables. The first set acts as a constant, which you use to measure the
 differences of the second set. Quantitative research methods, for example, are
experimental.

If you don’t have enough data to support your decisions, you must first determine
the facts. Experimental research gathers the data necessary to help you make
better decisions.

Any research conducted under scientifically acceptable conditions uses

experimental methods. The success of experimental studies hinges on researchers
confirming the change of a variable is based solely on the manipulation of the
constant variable. The research should establish a notable cause and effect.

Advantages of Experimental Research:

• Researchers have a stronger hold over variables to obtain desired results.

• The subject or industry does not impact the effectiveness of experimental research.
Any industry can implement it for research purposes.
• The results are specific.
• After analyzing the results, you can apply your findings to similar ideas or
situations.
• You can identify the cause and effect of a hypothesis. Researchers can further
analyze this relationship to determine more in-depth ideas.
• Experimental research makes an ideal starting point. The data you collect is a
foundation on which to build more ideas and conduct more research.

Purpose of Educational research:

1. Based on the past experience, solution for the present day

problems.
2. Development of science of behavior.
3. Knowledge to active goals.
4. Knowledge to achieving educational objectives.
5. Help the class teacher in order to achieve the result.
6. To establish sound educational theories with the help of
philosophical, historical, economic, psychological and sociological.
7. Systematic solutions for educational problem.
8. Review existing knowledge.
9. Describe solution or problem.
10.To construct some situation.
 Ethical issues of Educational Research:
1. Research participants should not be subjected to harm in any ways whatsoever.
2. Respect for the dignity of research participants should be prioritized.
3. Full consent should be obtained from the participants prior to the study.
4. The protection of the privacy of research participants has to be ensured.
5. Adequate level of confidentiality of the research data should be ensured.
6. Anonymity of individuals and organizations participating in the research has to be
ensured.
7. Any deception or exaggeration about the aims and objectives of the research must be
avoided.
8. Affiliations in any forms, sources of funding, as well as any possible conflicts of interests
have to be declared.
9. Any type of communication in relation to the research should be done with honesty and
transparency.
10. Any type of misleading information, as well as representation of primary data findings in
a biased way must be avoided.